Byte Into It - 12 December 2012

On this week's Byte: IBM have announced that they've created the first cheap commercially viable electronic photonics integrated chip - seamless integrated nanophotonics, integrating electrical and optical components on the same chip. This will enable superfast light transactions going from gigabits per second to terabits per second, and beyond. The Google-backed 23andme DNA testing service is now offering gene scans for just $99 - what a bargain! Dropbox have made a subtle change to their operations - non-dropbox users can now receive files, and you can browse content before you download it! Changes with Twitter - particularly an increased hostility towards instagram, the public release of their calendar of API changes The Federal government has committed $20 million to interactive gaming - the funds will be administered by Screen Australia, and there is an discussion paper open for comment - have your say here. There are also public fora around the country, and while Melbourne and Adelaide have been and gone, you can still go to: Brisbane: Monday 17 December Sydney/Webinar: Tuesday 18 December Mary Meeker has presented her latest State of the Web report how we're using the Internet, and what's next - check it out here The Russian-led proposal to give world governments regulatory power over the Internet was withdrawn at the UN conference on international telecommunications in Dubai With 2012 drawing to a close, the team reflect on the role of social media in society as 2012, and wonder will people start turning their backs on Facebook any time soon? It's Christmas! Time to think of some gift ideas for the geek in your life. Here are some suggestions: Vanessa recommends: Android 4.0 Mini PC MK802 - turns any HDMI-Capable monitor into an Android station. Donate to some crowd funding initiatives - Pozible, Kickstarter, Indiegogo Revolights - beautifully designed wheel-mounted lights for your bike The GoPro Hero camera, or the Countour Roam Georgia recommends: Projecteo - a miniature Instagram projector - you can still back them on Kickstarter. Shoeclips - shaped like a bow, but with 8-Bit style pixelation! Available on Etsy. There are a whole lot of creative smartphone docks out there. Moustache-shaped earbud-wrapping tools. Gloves that can allow you to still use your touchscreen devices. Ben recommends: The Lulzbot 3D printer that runs on free software with open hardware. Keren recommends: Treat yourself with some time away from Social Media! Shareable has listed five alternatives to holiday shopping - yes! Underwater USB cameras. And for the big kid, you an track Santa's progress at NORADSanta.org - where is he right now...? Events coming up: The last Raspberry Jam software workshop of 2012, December 13, 6:30pm at the Swanston Academic Building at RMIT. Global Drupal Training Day, Inspire 9, Richmond, December 14, 10am-5pm. Joomla Day Melbourne, January 19-20. Nature in the Dark invites 10 artists to responds and present their creative adaptations, remixed and interventions of the scientific footage of bush animals' activities at night. Fed Square from now until December 23. See screening times here or here. From all of us here on the Byte team, we would like to send you our best wishes for the festive season. Stay happy and safe, and we'll be back in early 2013 for the 20th year of Byte Into IT! Presented by Georgia Webster, Vanessa Toholka, Keren Flavell and Ben Finney. http://profiles.google.com/byteintoit http://twitter.com/byteintoit http://friendfeed.com/byteintoit